Aligning means for stuffing boxes



June 2, 1964 J, BASHAM 3,135,534-

A-LI'GNING MEANS FOR STUFFING BOXES Filed May 23, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet lINV E NTOR flE/VRYJ awn/v,

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ATTORNEYS June 2, 1964 H. J. BASHAM ALIGNING MEANS FOR STUFF'ING BOXES 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 23, 1960 ATTORNEY5 United States PatentALIGNING MEANS FOR STUFFING BOXES Henry J. Basharn, 1801 Hamilton,Pampa, Tex. Filed May 23, 1960, Ser. Ne. 30,919 4 Claims. (Cl. 285-112)This invention relates to improvements in aligning means for stuflingboxes of the character used for the polish rod of a reciprocating pump,such as an oil well pump.

It has been customary heretofore to operate the polish rod of an oilwell pump by a swinging walking beam that oscillates in a verticaldirection. The polish rod extends to the pump located in the well, andinasmuch as it operates in the oil and other fluid in the well, thiswill be carried upward on the polish rod and will drop off outside ofthe well.

Due to the swinging motion imparted to the polish rod by the walkingbeam, it has not been practical heretofore to use stuifing boxes thatwould close and seal olf the upper end of the well around the polishrod, and where these are loose enough to allow lateral vibration of thepolish rod due to the action of the walking beam, they are not effectivein preventing the escape of the oil on the rod. Consequently, much oilhas been lost through leakage at the stufling box, which not only iswasted inasmuch as it cannot be recovered, but it also damages the soiland often runs into streams and pollutes the water therein. The presenceof this wasted oil around the well also causes settling of thefoundation of the pump jack, which, together with the excessive wearresulting to the operating parts, causes the jack to get out of linewith the polish rod and stufling box. This misalignment causes abnormalwear on the parts, increases the power needed to operate the pump jackand causes the stuffing box to leak.

In my prior Patent No. 2,490,333, granted December 6, 1949, I haveprovided aligner means integral with the stuffing box. This stufl'ingbox has been very successful, and yet is not completely satisfactory.Due to certain weaknesses in its construction, it would at times, pullapart when the stuffing box packing would freeze to the polish rod.

It is an object of this invention to improve the construction of thestufling box so that it will have all the flexibility of the old type,yet will have sufficient strength so it cannot be forced apart.

A further object of the invention is to provide aligner means which maybe attached to any standard type of stufiing box.

A still further object of this invention is to provide means by whichrepacking of the stufiing box may be facilitated.

In carrying out these objects, I prefer to use a flexible mounting whichis supported on the well structure and includes means to permitseparation of the flexible mounting while yet providing universalflexibility of the stuffing box, so that it will coact automaticallywith any misaligned movement of the polish rod, in any and alldirections during the travel of the rod into and out of the stufi ingbox. The two nipple members are connected by a heavy metal clamp havingenclosed therein a seal of flexible material such as rubber or neoprene.The clamp prevents longitudinal separation, and at the same time willnot interfere with the universal action of the stufling box in alldirections throughout 360 degrees of circumference.

This preferred embodiment of the invention, together with modificationsthereof, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a stufling box with built-in aligner;

ice;

FIG. 2 is a cross section taken on lines 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a separate alignermeans for a stuffing box;

FIG. 4 is a cross section view taken on lines 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a modification of theseparate aligner means for a stufiing box; and

FIG. 6 is a cross section view taken on lines 66 in FIG. 3.

The aligner means consists of an upper member and a lower memberconnected together by steel clamp means. The steel clamp means isarranged to provide a universal connection between said members.

The steel clamp means is of such strength as to be able to withstandpulling pressures of approximately 3000 lbs.

The invention is shown in one embodiment in FIG. 1, wherein the stuffingbox 1 includes the upper member 2a of the aligner means as a part of thestufling box. The lower member 3 is a nipple which is adapted to beattached to the upper end of the tubing T at the well head.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the stufling box and aligner means in operativeposition, with a polish rod 16 extending therethrough. The upper end ofthe polish rod is connected to a conventional well pumping means (notshown). The lower end of the polish rod extends through the tubing T andtubing into the well for pumping fluid therefrom.

When the two members are in operative position, a space 6 occurs betweenthe adjacent end portions 22 of said members. This space is caused bythe liquid from the well which clings to the periphery of the polishrod, penetrating between the adjacent end portions 22 and causing themto part a limited distance. This space allows free movement of onemember relative to the other. In case, however, of a breakdown of thepumping means, or the parting of the pulling means, the width of thisspace is such that the adjacent ends of the members will come to resttogether to prevent the shoulders 24 from engaging the side walls 8 ofthe clamp 4 and possibly damaging the clamp. Such an occurrence will putthe entire weight of the tubing rods on the aligner means. This could befrom 2,500 lbs. to 25,000 lbs. depending on the depth of the well.

The modification disclosed in FIG. 3 shows the upper member 2 as being aseparate part and having internal threads therein for attachment to anystandard stufling box.

The details of the clamping means are identical, and it will suflice todiscuss only one embodiment.

The upper member 2 is connected to the lower member 3 by a steel clamp4. The clamp 4 preferably consists of two semi-cylindrical sections withcar members 21. The sections of the steel clamp are held together byfastening means 14, such as bolts or other suitable means. The earmembers 21 have apertures therein to receive the fasten ing means 14.

The cross section of each section of the clamp 4 is substantiallyU-shaped and has side walls 8 extending into grooves 9 on the adjacentend portions 22 of the members. The width of each groove 9 is greaterthan the thickness of the side walls 8 so that the nipple members maymove vertically relative to the clamp. The side walls 8 have roundedinner edges as at 20, to allow relative rocking movement of the clampand nipple members about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof said nipple members. The side walls 8 extend into the grooves 9 toprevent longitudinal separation of the nipple members while allowing forlateral or tilting movement of one member relative to the other member.

Each groove 9 is separated by a pair of diametrically opposed verticalrib members 10. The clamp members 4 have notches 19 (FIG. 4) therein forloosely receiving a the rib members. The rib members it) preventrotation of the clamp means relative to the members 2 and 3.

Within the cavity of the clamp is a flexible sealer or a sealing ring 5,such as rubber or neoprene. The sealer fits over the adjacent endportions 22 of the members 2 and 3 within the cavity of the clamp. Thesealer has a triangular cavity 7 therein so that the liquid from aroundthe polish rod and the space 6 will penetrate into the cavity 7 andexpand the sealer, thereby increasing the efficiency of the sealer.

It will be evident from FIGS. 2 and 3 that if there is any misalignmentof the polish rod, the flexible clamp 4 will permit the stufling box tomove laterally in any direction. The clamp 4, at the same time, will beof suflicient strength so as to prevent any longitudinal separation ofthe connecting members.

This type of flexible coupling may be used for various types of pipeconnections, wherein a universal connection is desired.

Also with this type of aligner, the packing 15 in the stuffing box maybe easily replaced by merely loosening the clamp bolts 14 and the boxcan be placed in packing position by a slight push of the hand. Afterthe stufling box is repacked, the bolts can then be tightened.

In the modification shown in FIG. 5, the adjacent end portions 22 of themembers have an offset portion so that the two members fit together insomewhat of an interlocking relationship as at 26, to prevent rotationof one member relative to the other about their longitudinal axes. Dueto this structure, with the aid of ribs 10, the unit can be connected toeither a well stuffing box or to a tubing T with heavy wrench toolsattached to any part of the aligner without causing damage to anymember.

While the invention is illustrated and described in certain embodiments,it is recognized that other variations and changes may be made thereinwithout departing from the invention, except as specified in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a stufling box structure including a stuffing box body adapted forpassage of a reciprocating rod there- L through, an aligner comprising anipple having one end adapted to be attached to a tubing of a well head,a pipe on said stufiing box body, the opposite end of said nipple eingadjacent the end of said pipe and being in substantially axial alignmenttherewith for passage of said rod therethrough, said nipple and saidpipe each having substantially the same outside diameter at theiradjacent end portions and having a groove extending circumferentially inthe outside surface thereof, each of said grooves having a first radialside wall adjacent the proximate ends of the nipple and the pipe and asecond radial side wall remote from said proximate ends and acylindrical bottom surface extending between said side walls, a pair ofsemi-cylindrical clamp members, each of said members having radialflanges along adjacent axial edges thereof, said clamp members havingwall portions along opposite ends thereof, each of said wall portionshaving opposite plane surfaces extending radially into the grooves, eachof said plane surfaces having a radial height substantially greater thanthe depth of the groove, said wall portions terminating in a circularedge of substantially the same diameter as said bottom surfaces of saidgrooves, said edges being transversely rounded, means for securing saidclamp flanges together with said rounded edges of the wall portionsextending into said grooves, and a sealing ring between said proximateends and said clamp members, the axial distance between said firstradial side walls of said pipe and nipple grooves when in assembledposition being less than the distance between the wall portion planesurfaces adjacent said first side walls and the axial distance betweensaid second radial side walls of said pipe and nipple grooves beinggreater than the axial length of said clamp, said sealing ring extendingaxially between said radial walls in sealing relation between said clampwall portions and said pipe and nipple, whereby under normal conditionsfluid pressure within said structure expands the sealing ring axiallyagainst the clamp wall portions and maintains the separation of saidproximate ends, and upon the application of lwge axial forces in thestuffing box, the opposing ends of the nipple and pipe move intoabutting relation while the groove radial walls remain spaced from theclamp wall portions.

2. In a stufling box structure including a stufling box body adapted forpassage of a reciprocating rod therethrough, an aligner comprising anipple having one end adapted to be attached to a tubing of a well head,a pipe on said stufling box body, the opposite end of said nipple beingadjacent the end of said pipe and being in substantially axial alignmenttherewith for passage of said rod therethrough, said nipple and saidpipe each having substantially the same outside diameter at theiradjacent end portions and having a groove extending circumferentially inthe outside surface thereof, each of said grooves having a first radialside wall adjacent the proximate ends of the nipple and the pipe and asecond radial side wall remote from said proximate ends and acylindrical bottom surface extending between said side walls, a pair ofsemi-cylindrical clamp members, each of said members having radialflanges along adjacent axial edges thereof, said clamp members havingwall portions along opposite ends thereof, each of said wall portionshaving opposite plane surfaces extending radially into the grooves, eachof said plane surfaces having a radial height substantially greater thanthe depth of the groove, said wall portions terminating in a circularedge of substantially the same diameter as said bottom surfaces of saidgrooves, said edges being transversely rounded, said pipe and saidnipple each having a radial rib extending across the respective grooves,means for securing said clamp flanges together with said rounded edgesof the wall portions extending into said grooves, and a sealing ringbetween said proximate ends and said clamp members, the axial distancebetween said first radial side walls of said pipe and nipple grooveswhen in assembled position being less than the distance between the wallportion plane surfaces adjacent said first side walls and the axialdistance between said second radial side walls of said pipe and nipplegrooves being greater than the axial length of said clamp, said sealingring extending axially between said radial Walls in sealing relationbetween said clamp wall portions and said pipe and nipple whereby undernormal conditions fluid pressure within said structure expands thesealing ring axially against the clamp wall portions and maintains theseparation of said proximate ends, and upon the application of largeaxial forces in the stuffing box, the opposing ends of the nipple andpipe move into abutting relation while the groove radial walls remainspaced from the clamp Wall portions and whereby the ribs resist relativerotation of the clamp, the pipe and the nipple.

3. In a stufling box structure including a stuffing box body adapted forpassage of a reciprocating rod therethrough, an aligner comprising anipple having one end adapted to be attached to a tubing of a well head,a pipe on said stufling box body, the opposite end of said nipple beingadjacent the end of said pipe and being in substantially axial alignmenttherewith for passage of said rod therethrough, said nipple and saidpipe each having substantially the same outside diameter at theiradjacent end portions and having a groove extending circumferentially inthe outside surface thereof, each of said grooves having a first radialside wall adjacent the proximate ends of the nipple and the pipe and asecond radial side wall remote from said proximate ends and acylindrical bottom surface extending between said side walls, a pair ofsemi-cylindrical clamp members, each of said members having radialflanges along adjacent axial edges thereof, said clamp members havingwall portions along opposite ends thereof, each of said wall portionshaving opposite plane surfaces extending radially into the grooves, eachof said plane surfaces having a radial height substantially greater thanthe depth of the groove, said wall portions terminating in a circularedge of substantially the same diameter as said bottom surfaces of saidgrooves, said edges being transversely rounded, said proximate ends ofthe pipe and nipple having opposing radial abutments thereon, means forsecuring said clamp flanges together with said rounded edges of the wallportions extending into said grooves, and a sealing ring between saidproximate ends and said clamp members, the axial distance between saidfirst radial side walls of said pipe and nipple grooves when inassembled position being less than the distance between the wall portionplane surfaces adjacent said first side walls and the axial distancebetween said second radial side walls of said pipe and nipple groovesbeing greater than the axial length of said clamp, said sealing ringextending axially between said radial walls in sealing relation betweensaid clamp wall portions and said pipe and nipple whereby under normalconditions fluid pressure within said structure expands the sealing ringaxially against the clamp wall portions and maintains the separation ofsaid proximate ends, and upon the application of large axial forces inthe stuffing box, the opposing ends of the nipple and pipe move intoabutting relation while the groove radial walls remain spaced from theclamp wall portions and whereby the abutments resist relative rotationof the pipe and the nipple.

4. In a stufling box structure including a stufling box body adapted forpassage of a reciprocating rod therethrough, an aligner comprising anipple having one end adapted to be attached to a tubing of a Well head,a pipe on said stufling box body, the opposite end of said nipple beingadjacent the end of said pipe and being in substantially axial alignmenttherewith for passage of said rod therethrough, said nipple and saidpipe each having substantially the same outside diameter at theiradjacent end portions and having a groove extending circumferentially inthe outside surface thereof, each of said grooves having a first radialside wall adjacent the proximate ends of the nipple and the pipe and asecond radial side wall remote from said proximate ends and acylindrical bottom surface extending between said side walls, a pair ofsemicylindrical clamp members, each of said members having radialflanges along adjacent axial edges thereof, said clamp members havingwall portions along opposite ends thereof, each of said wall portionshaving opposite plane surfaces extending radially into the grooves, eachof said plane surfaces having a radial height substantially greater thanthe depth of the groove, said wall portions terminating in a circularedge of substantially the same diameter as said bottom surfaces of saidgrooves, said edges being transversely rounded, said proximate ends ofthe pipe and nipple having opposing radial abutments thereon, means forsecuring said clamp flanges together with said rounded edges of the wallportions extending into said grooves, and a sealing ring between saidproximate ends and said clamp members, the axial distance between saidfirst radial side walls of said pipe and nipple grooves when inassembled position being less than the distance between the Wall portionplane surfaces adjacent said first side Walls and the axial distancebetween said second radial side walls of said pipe and nipple groovesbeing greater than the axial length of said clamp, said sealing ringextending axially between said radial walls in sealing relation betweensaid clamp wall portions and said pipe and nipple whereby under normalconditions fluid pressure within said structure expands the sealing ringaxially against the clamp wall portions and maintains the separation ofsaid proximate ends, and upon the application of large axial forces inthe stufiing box, the opposing ends of the nipple and pipe move intoabutting relation while the groove radial walls remain spaced from theclamp wall portions, said pipe and said nipple each having a radial ribextending across the respective grooves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,590,908 Riles June 29, 1926 1,780,712 Little Nov. 4, 1930 1,867,891Reynolds July 19, 1932 1,928,122 Bennett Sept. 26, 1933 1,976,797 NaylorOct. 16, 1934 2,028,182 Barnickol Jan. 21, 1936 2,041,132 Johnson May19, 1936 2,041,316 Bennett May 19, 1936 2,089,230 Thowless Aug. 10, 19372,490,333 Basham Dec. 6, 1949 2,821,415 Race Jan. 28, 1958 3,054,629Piatek Sept. 18, 1962 3,082,022 Moore Mar. 19, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS613,234 France Aug. 20, 1926

1. IN A STUFFING BOX STRUCTURE INCLUDING A STUFFING BOX BODY ADAPTED FORPASSAGE OF A RECIPROCATING ROD THERETHROUGH, AN ALIGNER COMPRISING ANIPPLE HAVING ONE END ADAPTED TO BE ATTACHED TO A TUBING OF A WELL HEAD,A PIPE ON SAID STUFFING BOX BODY, THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID NIPPLE BEINGADJACENT THE END OF SAID PIPE AND BEING IN SUBSTANTIALLY AXIAL ALIGNMENTTHEREWITH FOR PASSAGE OF SAID ROD THERETHROUGH, SAID NIPPLE AND SAIDPIPE EACH HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME OUTSIDE DIAMETER AT THEIRADJACENT END PORTIONS AND HAVING A GROOVE EXTENDING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY INTHE OUTSIDE SURFACE THEREOF, EACH OF SAID GROOVES HAVING A FIRST RADIALSIDE WALL ADJACENT THE PROXIMATE ENDS OF THE NIPPLE AND THE PIPE AND ASECOND RADIAL SIDE WALL REMOTE FROM SAID PROXIMATE ENDS AND ACYLINDRICAL BOTTOM SURFACE EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SIDE WALLS, A PAIR OFSEMI-CYLINDRICAL CLAMP MEMBERS, EACH OF SAID MEMBERS HAVING RADIALFLANGES ALONG ADJACENT AXIAL EDGES THEREOF, SAID CLAMP MEMBERS HAVINGWALL PORTIONS ALONG OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF, EACH OF SAID WALL PORTIONSHAVING OPPOSITE PLANE SURFACES EXTENDING RADIALLY INTO THE GROOVES, EACHOF SAID PLANE SURFACES HAVING A RADIAL HEIGHT SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER THANTHE DEPTH OF THE GROOVE, SAID WALL PORTIONS TERMINATING IN A CIRCULAREDGE OF SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME